East Austin is certainly not lacking when it comes to good food, something that can make it a bit difficult for a new restaurant to craft a unique identity to set itself apart from the herd.

One new eatery, located at 1209 East Seventh Street, has now opened its doors with the goal of setting itself apart by combining a few elements: quality, simplicity and affordability.

The Hightower comes to Austin foodies from the minds of its co-owners, Chad Dolezal and Victor Farnsworth, after nearly two years in the making. Conceptually, the restaurant provides chef-driven cuisine to customers from a straightforward menu at affordable prices. (Expect dishes such as blistered green beans, skirt steak or fried boudin.) Dolezal has kept the prices down by using quality, affordable ingredients instead of using more expensive counterparts.

Farnsworth uses the same philosophy when crafting the Hightower bar experience, hoping to create the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar that welcomes one and all, with cocktails that “don’t take longer to make than they do to drink.” Open to the ever-growing crowd of East Side revelers, The Hightower will likely become one of the stops on weekend bar crawls.

The Hightower takes over the space formerly occupied by Karibu Ethiopian Restaurant, with the co-founders taking care of some of the construction with their own hands. With an interior design by Joy Dolezal of Kampfe de Stijl Architecture, The Hightower is meant to have a modern feel while also evoking some of that old Austin charm. Along with the large bar and a 70-seat capacity, The Hightower also features a large outdoor patio. Tying the interior together is a piece of art covering the rear wall by artist Graham Franciose.

The Hightower will be open Tuesday – Sunday starting at 5 pm each day; more information is available on their website.